Park guest-activated image capture system for theme parks and associated methods

ABSTRACT

An image capture system for a theme park includes fixed image capture areas spaced throughout the theme park. Each fixed image capture area includes at least one camera, and a kiosk coupled to the at least one camera. The kiosk includes an identification (ID) reader to read a park guest ID presented by a park guest, and a processor to activate the at least one camera to take a photo of the park guest based on the ID reader reading the park guest ID. The processor also links the park guest ID with the photo. A server is coupled to the fixed image capture areas to store each photo with the linked park guest ID.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/642,892 filed May 4, 2012, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of photography, and moreparticularly, to a photograph tracking and retrieval system for parkguests at a theme park.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When visiting a theme park, such as Disney and Universal, for example,it is common for guests to be approached by a theme park photographer tohave their photo taken as a souvenir that can later be retrieved at adesignated area. For each park guest and their group having their phototaken, a printed ticket with a number corresponding to their particularphoto is given to them by the theme park photographer.

The number on the printed ticket typically corresponds to a bar codethat is associated with the photo or photos taken by the theme parkphotographer of the park guest and their group. A different bar code isused for each park guest and their group having their photo taken.

To associate the bar codes with the photos being taken, a personaldigital assistant (FDA) is used. Each theme park photographer has a FDAcoupled to their camera via an interface cord. The theme parkphotographer uses the FDA to first read or scan a bar code. The bar codeis usually taken from a tablet of bar codes carried by the theme parkphotographer. After the photos of a park guest and their group have beentaken, they are then transferred to the FDA. The FDA includes softwarethat associates the bar code with the corresponding photos taken of thepark guest. This process is repeated for each group of park guestshaving their photo taken.

The theme park photographer later transfers the stored photos andcorresponding bar codes in the PDA to a photography database. Prior toleaving the theme park, the park guest can present their printed ticketat a photography gift shop. The photography database is searched usingthe number on the printed ticket which corresponds to the bar code usedto identify their photos.

A drawback of using theme park photographers to capture the experiencesof theme park guests is cost. The use of theme park photographers islabor intensive. In addition, theme park photographers typically roamaround the theme park, which means that park guests may miss out on theopportunity to have their photo taken a certain spots that are veryscenic and reflective of their experiences at the theme park.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of thepresent invention to provide a cost effect approach for capturing theexperiences of theme park guests.

This and other objects, features, and advantages in accordance with thepresent invention are provided by an image capture system for a themepark comprising fixed image capture areas spaced throughout the themepark, with each fixed image capture area comprising at least one camera,and a kiosk coupled to the at least one camera. The kiosk may comprisean identification (ID) reader to read a park guest ID presented by apark guest, and a processor to activate the at least one camera to takea photo of the park guest based on the ID reader reading the park guestID. The processor may also link the park guest ID with the photo. Aserver may be coupled to the fixed image capture areas to store eachphoto with the linked park guest ID.

The same park guest ID may be used by the park guest at other fixedimage capture areas to take additional photos of the park guest based oneach respective ID reader configured to read the same park guest ID. Theserver may then store the additional photos of the park guest with thesame linked park guest ID so as to form a personal photo album of thepark guest.

The image capture system advantageously allows photos of the park gueststo be taken without the need for a park employee to be present. Thissaves on costs, as well as giving the park guests the option to havetheir photos taken in designated areas that may be themed to bestcapture the experiences of the park guest at the theme park.

The image capture system may further comprise at least one input devicecoupled to the server to receive the park guest ID from the part guest.At least one display may be coupled to the server to display the photolinked with the park guest ID as received by the at least one inputdevice.

The server may be coupled to the Internet to allow the park guest toremotely retrieve each photo with the linked ID. The server may befurther configured to associate an email address of the park guest withthe park guest ID to assist with the retrieval.

Each fixed image capture area may further comprise a count-down displaycoupled to the processor, with the count-down display being activatedbased on the ID reader reading the park guest ID to count-down apre-defined time before activating the at least one camera.

Each fixed image capture area may comprise a ground marking on where thepark guest is to stand for the photo. The at least one camera may beconfigured to take a photo with a panoramic view.

The kiosk may further comprise a display coupled to the processor, wherethe processor may display instructions on how to activate the at leastone camera.

The park guest ID may be on a theme park admission ticket used by thepark guest to enter the theme park. Alternatively, the park guest ID maybe generated by a mobile wireless communications device carried by thepark guest.

Each image capture area may have a theme associated therewith, and theprocessor may be map the photo of the park guest within the themed imagecapture area to an extended scene, with the extended scene being apanoramic view extending the theme of the themed image capture area.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method foroperating an image capture system for a theme park as described above.The method may comprise operating the ID reader within the kiosk to reada park guest ID presented by a park guest. The method may furthercomprise operating the processor within the kiosk to activate the atleast one camera to take a photo of the park guest based on the IDreader reading the park guest ID, and to link the park guest ID with thephoto. The server may be operated to store each photo with the linkedpark guest ID.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a guest-activated image capture system fora theme park in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of park ticket with a bar code thereon for activatingthe image capture system in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of mobile wireless communications devicedisplaying a self-generated bar code for activating the image capturesystem in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a photographic side view of an image capture area for an imagecapture system at a theme park in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a photographic front view of the image capture area in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a photographic panoramic view that maps the captured photofrom the image capture area in FIG. 4 to create an extended scene inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the imagecapture system for a theme park as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a guest-activated image capture system fora water park in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout and prime notations are usedto indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a guest-activated image capture system 10for a theme park will be discussed. The image capture system 10 isactivated by park guests for initiating cameras 40 to take their photosthroughout the theme park and to associate or link the captured photosto respective personal photo albums 74 for the guests.

The image capture system 10 includes a number of image capture areas 20throughout the theme park. Each image capture area 20 includes at leastone camera 40, and a kiosk 30. The kiosk 30 includes an identification(ID) reader 32, a display 34 and a processor 36 coupled to the ID reader32 and to the display 34. Each image capture area 20 also includes acount-down display 42 associated with the at least one camera 40 fordirecting the park guests' attention to the at least one camera.

The display 34 is for communicating to the park guests that the imagecapture system 10 is working and operating. The display 34 also providesinstructions to the park guest on how to activate the at least onecamera 40. To activate the camera 42, a guest will present a park guestID to the ID reader 32. The park guest ID may be a bar code or othertype of image, as readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. Oncethe park guest ID is read, the guest has a limited amount of time to getin position. The ground will be clearly marked with a ground marking 41on where the park guest is to stand.

The park guest ID presented by the park guest is the triggeringmechanism that starts the process for activating the camera 40 toautomatically take a photo of the park guest. An advantage of each imagecapture area 20 is that photos of the park guests can be taken withoutthe need for a park employee to be present.

Once in position, the park guest will look at the at least one camera40, which may be mounted on a pole 44. Also mounted on the pole 44 nextto the at least one camera 40 is the count-down display 42. Thecount-down display 42 may be configured as a scrolling display, forexample, and counts down 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 when the at least one camera40 will take a photo.

The park guest ID presented by the guest is linked to the captured photoby the processor 36. However, for the guest to be able to later view andpurchase the captured photo, personal information of the guest, such asan email address, needs to be associated with the park guest ID. Thepark guest ID and guest information is stored on a server 70 coupled tothe kiosks 30.

A guest may use a bar code 50 on a printed admissions ticket 52 as thepark guest ID to activate the image capture system 10, as illustrated inFIG. 2. Alternatively, a guest may use a bar code 60 as the park guestID, with the bar code being generated by an application downloaded ontoa mobile wireless communications device 62 carried by the park guest, asillustrated in FIG. 3. In addition, a badge with a bar code may be used,for example.

The printed ticket 52 may be a seasonal pass or a park admission ticketordered on-line, For these types of tickets, guest information is madeavailable at the time of ticket purchase. Consequently, an email addressof the park guest is linked to the bar code which allows for the parkguest to easily retrieve and view the photo album 74 of their capturedphotos.

A park admission ticket purchased at the theme park may also be used toactivate the image capture system 10 even if information of the parkguest has not been associated with the bar code on the ticket. For thepark guest to retrieve and view the captured photos, the park guestneeds to enter their personal information. This may be done while thepark guest is still at the theme park.

The server 70 includes a processor 72 and a memory 74 coupled thereto.The memory is used to store the personal photo albums 74, i.e., capturedpark guests' photographs. One or more displays 76 are coupled to theserver 70 for park guests to view their retrieved photographs. Inaddition, one or more input devices 78 are provided for park guests toassociate their personal information to their particular bar code.

The same park guest ID may be used by the park guest at other fixedimage capture areas to take additional photos of the park guest based oneach respective ID reader 32 reading the same park guest ID. The server70 stores the additional photos of the park guest with the same linkedpark guest ID so as to form a personal photo album 74 of the park guest.

For a park guest to retrieve and purchase photos from their personalphoto album 74 stored on the server 70, the park guest does not need tobe at the theme park. The park guest can access their personal photoalbum 74 through the Internet 80 away from the theme park. However, thepark guest is also able to view their personal photo album 74 while atthe theme park by using an input device 78 and display 76 coupled to theserver 70. The input device 78 may be a keypad or an ID reader, forexample.

Each image capture area 20 is preferably positioned at a scenic locationin the theme park, as illustrated in FIG. 4. An image capture area 20may also be referred to as a hot-set area. After the park guest 90 hashad their bar code read by the bar code reader 32, they stand in themarked location and their attention is directed to the pole mountedcameras 40.

Even though two pole mounted cameras 40 are illustrated, one isoperational whereas the other one is a backup. Alternatively, bothcameras 40 are activated for taking a photo, but one of the camerasprovides a panoramic view. As noted above, the count-down display 42 maybe configured as a scrolling display for getting the attention of thepark guests, and for counting down 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 when the camera 40will take a photo.

The image capture area 20 may use the far-right image capture areaportion 26 of the available area, for example, so as to allow amplespace for non-participant park guests to shoot their own photographs.Another view of the image capture area portion 26 of the available areais provided in FIG. 5. In this situation, the foliage obstructs part ofthe shot and needs to be cut back. The image capture system 10 alsoallows the captured photo from the image capture area 26 in FIG. 4 to bemapped to an extended scene 28. The extended scene 28 is a panoramicview extending the theme of the image capture area 20.

Referring now to the flowchart 200 in FIG. 7, another aspect is directedto a method for operating above-described image capture system 10 for atheme park. The method comprises, from the start (Block 202), operatingthe ID reader 32 within the kiosk 30 at Block 204 to read a park guestID presented by a park guest. The processor 36 within the kiosk 30 isoperated at Block 206 to activate the at least one camera 40 to take aphoto of the park guest based on the ID reader 32 reading the park guestID. The processor 36 within the kiosk 30 is operated at Block 208 tolink the park guest ID with the photo. The method further comprisesoperating the server 70 at Block 210 to store each photo with the linkedpark guest ID. The method ends at Block 212.

Yet another aspect of the image capture system 10′ is directed to waterparks, as illustrated in FIG. 8. A water park guest next in line toslide down the water slide 140′ presents their park guest ID or bar codeto the ID or bar code reader 32′. Instead of the camera being operatedbased on a time delay, a sensor 41′ is used to indicate that the waterpark guest is in position so that the camera 40′ is activated to take aphoto.

The bar code carried by the water park guest may be on a water proofwrist band worn by the water park guest. Although not illustrated,multiple image capture areas 20′ are spaced throughout the water park.The captured photographs are provided to a server that stores arespective personal photo album for later viewing by the water parkguest.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come tothe mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited tothe specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications andembodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appendedclaims.

That which is claimed is:
 1. An image capture system for a theme parkcomprising: a plurality of fixed image capture areas spaced throughoutthe theme park, each fixed image capture area comprising at least onecamera, and a kiosk coupled to said at least one camera and comprisingan identification (ID) reader configured to read a park guest IDpresented by a park guest, and a processor configured to activate saidat least one camera to take a photo of the park guest based on said IDreader reading the park guest ID, and to link the park guest ID with thephoto; and a server coupled to said plurality of fixed image captureareas and configured to store each photo with the linked park guest ID.2. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein the same parkguest ID is used by the park guest at other fixed image capture areas totake additional photos of the park guest based on each respective IDreader configured to read the same park guest ID; and wherein saidserver stores the additional photos of the park guest with the samelinked park guest ID so as to form a personal photo album of the parkguest.
 3. The image capture system according to claim 1 furthercomprising: at least one input device coupled to said server andconfigured to receive the park guest ID from the part guest; and atleast one display coupled to said server and configured to display thephoto linked with the park guest ID as received by said at least oneinput device.
 4. The image capture system according to claim 1 whereinsaid server is coupled to the Internet to allow the park guest toremotely retrieve each photo with the linked ID.
 5. The image capturesystem according to claim 4 wherein said server is further configured toassociate an email address of the park guest with the park guest ID toassist with the retrieval.
 6. The image capture system according toclaim 1 wherein each fixed image capture area further comprises acount-down display coupled to said processor, with said count-downdisplay being activated based on said ID reader reading the park guestID to count-down a pre-defined time before activating said at least onecamera.
 7. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein eachfixed image capture area comprises a ground marking on where the parkguest is to stand for the photo.
 8. The image capture system accordingto claim 1 wherein said at least one camera is configured to take aphoto with a panoramic view.
 9. The image capture system according toclaim 1 wherein said kiosk further comprises a display coupled to saidprocessor, with said processor further configured to displayinstructions on how to activate said at least one camera.
 10. The imagecapture system according to claim 1 wherein the park guest ID is on atheme park admission ticket used by the park guest to enter the themepark.
 11. The image capture system according to claim 1 wherein the parkguest ID is generated by a mobile wireless communications device carriedby the park guest.
 12. The image capture system according to claim 1wherein each image capture area has a theme associated therewith; andwherein said processor is further configured to map the photo of thepark guest within the themed image capture area to an extended scene,with the extended scene being a panoramic view extending the theme ofthe themed image capture area.
 13. A method for operating an imagecapture system for a theme park comprising a plurality of fixed imagecapture areas spaced throughout the theme park, each fixed image capturearea comprising at least one camera, and a kiosk coupled to the at leastone camera, and a server coupled to the plurality of fixed image captureareas, the method comprising: operating an identification (ID) readerwithin the kiosk to read a park guest ID presented by a park guest;operating a processor within the kiosk to activate the at least onecamera to take a photo of the park guest based on the ID reader readingthe park guest ID, and link the park guest ID with the photo; andoperating the server to store each photo with the linked park guest ID.14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the same park guest ID isused by the park guest at other fixed image capture areas to takeadditional photos of the park guest based on each respective ID readerconfigured to read the same park guest ID; and further comprisingoperating the server to store the additional photos of the park guestwith the same linked park guest ID so as to form a personal photo albumof the park guest.
 15. The method according to claim 13 furthercomprising: operating at least one input device coupled to the server toreceive the park guest ID from the part guest; and operating at leastone display coupled to the server to display the photo linked with thepark guest ID as received by the at least one input device.
 16. Themethod according to claim 13 wherein the server is coupled to theInternet to allow the park guest to remotely retrieve each photo withthe linked ID.
 17. The method according to claim 13 wherein each fixedimage capture area further comprises a count-down display coupled to theprocessor, with the count-down display being activated based on the IDreader reading the park guest ID to count-down a pre-defined time beforeactivating the at least one camera.
 18. The method according to claim 13wherein the kiosk further comprises a display coupled to the processor,and further comprising operating the processor to display instructionson how to activate the at least one camera.
 19. The method according toclaim 13 wherein the park guest ID is on a theme park admission ticketused by the park guest to enter the theme park.
 20. The method accordingto claim 13 wherein the park guest ID is generated by a mobile wirelesscommunications device carried by the park guest.
 21. The methodaccording to claim 13 wherein each image capture area has a themeassociated therewith; and further comprising operating the processor tomap the photo of the park guest within the themed image capture area toan extended scene, with the extended scene being a panoramic viewextending the theme of the themed image capture area.